Bilateral Co-operation

Deep and lasting relations have been developed with the five countries of the Western Balkans over the last ten years. Those relationships are managed within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) which was launched by the European Commission in May 1999. This process marks out the principals by which the countries of the region move towards eventual membership of the European Union. They are adjusted to the level of development and reform process of each country, allowing each to move at its own pace towards integration.

An important pillar in the process is the conclusion of tailor made Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAA) with each country setting out the common values and principles governing the relationship between the EU and each country.

CARDS assistance aims to support the SAP and implementation of the SAA and assistance is tailored to the needs and reform priorities of each country. Examples of the kind of assistance that CARDS provides are available on the case study section of this site. The following links give more information on how the CARDS programme is implemented on a bilateral level with each country in the region.